Preview: Brisbane vs Sydney (Round 3)

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The Bullets and Kings are both currently stuck in the logjam of teams sat with a 2-1 record on the season.

Friday, October 13 at 7:30m AEDT

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports - International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

With all the discussion around the pending potential sanctions set to be handed down to Aron Baynes and Adam Forde following last week’s Sunshine Stoush, the fact Brisbane is in a top of the table clash to open their Round 3 has been well and truly flown under the radar.

The Bullets and Kings are both currently stuck in the logjam of teams sat with a 2-1 record on the season, and both sides will be pleased with their starts under their respective new coaches to open the season.

Nathan Sobey starred for the Bullets in both their games last week, while Sam McDaniel looks to be a new player under Justin Schueller than the one that arrived from Tasmania in pre-season.

The Kings’ team basketball under Mahmoud Abdelfattah has been impressive, however they’ve still experienced the growing pains that come with having a new coach.

Jonah Bolden is slowly beginning to re-find the touch that made him a key piece in Philadelphia’s NBA title charge a few seasons ago, and Sydney’s strong depth is still proving to be a point of difference with the likes of Kouat Noi, Jordan Hunter and Alex Toohey all starring at different points in the young season.

Brisbane
86-89 loss to Cairns
89-84 win over New Zealand
86-71 win over Adelaide

Sydney
109-100 win over Adelaide
72-80 loss to Tasmania
96-81 win over Illawarra

Tyrell Harrison vs Jordan Hunter

This battle of the bigs was a battle of the backups last season, but Jordan Hunter’s strong form and the potential absence of Aron Baynes could see the pair take centre stage in this high-profile clash on Friday night.

It can be easy to forget Harrison is currently the longest-tenured player at the Bullets, as injuries have decimated his time on court over the past two seasons – but he’s fit, firing and, touch wood, has turned a corner similar to Hunter’s last season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tyrell Harrison is making a ????????? on both ends ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on ESPN via Kayo Sports + Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/e3SVfnOaIQ">pic.twitter.com/e3SVfnOaIQ</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1614157687159410689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He’s averaging 8.7 points per game this season, and the 214-centimetre giant has happily showcased the deceptive speed and agility he possesses in his strong frame.

Hunter, on the other hand, looks to be becoming the player he promised to be prior to the injury he suffered before NBL22 and is absolutely thriving as the Kings’ starting centre.

The 26-year-old has been forced to bide his time behind Andrew Bogut and Tim Soares in the rotation, but is presenting Jonah Bolden a real challenge as he looks to force his way into the starting lineup.

Both Harrison and Hunter have been two of the most underrated local centres in the past few seasons of the NBL, so to see them both taking centre stage together is exciting.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> raised the banner and got the job done ?<br><br>Jordan Hunter was a force in the paint and was named Foot Locker Player of the Game ? <a href="https://t.co/Ual30KXmNE">pic.twitter.com/Ual30KXmNE</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1710915314781958515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nathan Sobey

The re-emergence of Nathan Sobey as a genuine NBL game-breaker in NBL23 defines the reversal in fortunes of the entire Brisbane Bullets organisation.

Memory in sport is a short, short thing, and people often forget Sobey was a league MVP finalist just three seasons ago, and it was those performances that led to his selection in the Tokyo Olympic squad over Josh Giddey.

Sobey’s been one of the best players in the NBL for the bulk of his near-decade in the NBL, and although at 33 his career is closer to the end than the start – he’s showing last season’s slump was the exception, not the new rule.

“We’ve been able to put him in positions of success, and the thing we love is he continues to be reliable in that stance. It’s not just about the offence though, he’s really giving us commitment at the defensive end. There were a couple of breakdowns which he’ll be frustrated with, but overall we’re getting more and more there.” – Justin Schueller following Brisbane’s loss to Cairns.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nathan Sobey is in just 5% of SuperCoach NBL teams but he pumped out 83 points - the highest score of round 2. With the Bullets on the double again, is he in your plans this week? <a href="https://t.co/4qI84beJno">pic.twitter.com/4qI84beJno</a></p>— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) <a href="https://twitter.com/heraldsunsport/status/1711545268993458655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Denzel Valentine

All too often do former NBA stars come into the NBL and look to play outside their role, but Denzel Valentine has shown a willingness to fit Sydney’s system early this season, and it’s paying dividends for the side.

Valentine left the Chicago Bulls ranked 14^th all-time in threes made for the historic organisation, and although he’s arrived in the NBL with a bit of a reputation as a trigger-happy sharpshooter, he’s turned into an everything man on offence for Abdelfattah.

He’s hitting shots, dropping dimes and crashing the glass for the Kings, and his willingness to play that extra pass has seen the likes of Kouat Noi, Jaylin Galloway and Alex Toohey benefit from the extra touches.

There’s still more to come from Valentine this season, but after struggling at the Blitz, these early in-season signs bode well for the Kings faithful.

“He’s averaging about 6.5 rebounds, seven assists, so he’s a do it all guy. That’s what got him college player of the year at Michigan State, that’s what got him drafted, he’s a talented player … we’ve got a lot of talented guys and it goes back to them sticking to their roles and understanding what they need to do to be successful.” – Mahmoud Abdelfattah following Sydney’s win over Adelaide.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh YEAH DV <a href="https://twitter.com/denzelvalentine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@denzelvalentine</a> <br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> live on ESPN via KayoSports<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetItReign?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetItReign</a> <a href="https://t.co/oVsem8wr8M">pic.twitter.com/oVsem8wr8M</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1710217890425913429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>